The 'Melo Mania isn't over just yet. And while the incumbent New York Knicks are considered the likely landing spot for free agent small forward Carmelo Anthony, they may have some reason to be concerned.

A person with knowledge of Anthony's situation confirmed reports that he still is considering the Chicago Bulls, though it's unclear where the Bulls, New York Knicks or Los Angeles Lakers are in the lead in these one-man sweepstakes. The Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets are considered out of the running, though Anthony is not known to have given any formal indication of that. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the situation.

The New York Daily News and New York Post reported Wednesday that Anthony was expected to return to the Knicks.

As USA TODAY Sports reported July 4, the Knicks feared the Bulls above the rest all along because of Anthony's longstanding affinity for playing with Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and the rest of the Chicago lot. Yet while the Knicks made Anthony a maximum contract offer of $129 million over five years and the Lakers put out $96 million over four years, the Bulls have a more complicated financial landscape.

If the Bulls use the amnesty clause on forward Carlos Boozer, as expected, they would have about $10 million in salary cap space. The Bulls could create room by trading forward Taj Gibson as well, but the sixth man of the year runner-up is a major selling point for Anthony as he decides which team can help him win his first championship. Thus, a sign-and-trade with the Knicks involving Boozer seems to be the most likely way for the Bulls to pay Anthony the sort of salary it will take to get him to town.

If the Bulls can't make such a move, the most they could offer Anthony is $73 million over four years. But the 2012-13 NBA scoring champion would be joining a roster known for its defensive aptitude and returning Rose, who has missed most of the past two seasons with knee injuries. With a sign-and-trade, the Bulls likely could pay Anthony $87 million over four years.

Knicks President Phil Jackson told news reporters Thursday in Las Vegas that he was confident about Anthony returning. According to reports, Jackson was asked if he expected a positive outcome in the Anthony situation and responded by saying, "Yes. It means we go forward with some of our other plans, some of our secondary plans to sustain this team.''

GALLERY: Carmelo Anthony through the years

Carmelo Anthony has lived a charmed basketball life, going from top recruit to college champion to NBA superstar. Flip through this gallery to see how he got there. Howard Smith, USA TODAY Sports

Anthony and LeBron James were selected third and first in the 2003 NBA draft and have been linked ever since, sharing the 2003-04 rookie of the year award, being snubbed for the 2004 All-Star Game, playing together for Team USA and generally going head-to-head at the same position for a decade. Tony Dejak, AP

Anthony and Jeremy Lin had a tenuous relationship in their one season together, when Lin emerged as the Knicks' star after Anthony was hurt. Anthony later dismissed the contract Lin signed with the Rockets as "ridiculous." Bill Kostroun, AP

Anthony and Celtics center Kevin Garnett were involved in a war of words that led to Anthony's suspension for a game during the 2012-13 season, but they say the dispute is done. Debby Wong, USA TODAY Sports